Envelope for enclosing bank statements and the like



July 7, 1964 HYMAN 3,140,040

ENVELOPE FOR ENCLOSING BANK STATEMENTS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 25, 19632 Sheets-Sheet 1 PA! (or nance RI-Isr co. SGQ KANSAS CITY MQISGB Prevmusendorscmfs JOHN SM'TH C0 INVENTOR.-

ATTGRNE Y July 7, 1964 Y N 3,140,040

ENVELOPE FOR ENCLOSING BANK STATEMENTS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 25, 19632 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Jere/27a Hyman hem ATTORNEY United StatesPatent M 3,140,040 ENVELGPE FUR ENCLUSING BANK STATEMENTS AND THE LIKEJerome Hyman, Memphis, Tenn, assignor to Tension Envelope Corporation, acorporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 260,592 2 Claims.(Cl. 22--68) This invention relates to a window envelope for anenclosure of less width than the width of the envelope and having amailing address thereon that must be kept in registry with the window,for example, to an envelope for use by banks in sending statements andcanceled checks to their depositors.

It is the practice for banks to wrap the statement of a checking accountabout the canceled checks and place them in an envelope large enough toaccommodate the checks therein. This requires addressing each envelopewith the name and address of the customer, and there is a possibilitythat the enclosures do not always get into a properly addressedenvelope. Besides this possibility of error, separate addressing of themany envelopes that are sent out each month requires considerablemanhours of Work that would be saved if a satisfactory window envelopecould be used, since the statements always bear the name and address ofthe depositor.

Modern statements are more or less standard in size to accommodate themto automatic bookkeeping and accounting machines, and the statements areconsiderably narrower in width than the length of the checks that areenclosed therewith. Consequently, a window envelope having sufficientwidth to accommodate the canceled checks will allow the statement toshift therein from one side of the envelope to the other, so that theaddress does not appear, or only partially appears, within the windowopening. Even in cases where the statements are clipped to the checks,they may not be clipped in the proper place to expose the addressthereon through the window opening. In such cases, the postalauthorities are unable to deliver the envelope, and such envelopes mustbe returned to the bank.

Various attempts have been made to prevent shifting of the statement inan envelope, but in most instances such attempts have interfered withinsertion of the enclosures, increased the cost of the envelopes to thebank, or the envelopes are diflicult to produce because they vary fromstandard envelope making procedure.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to providea window envelope large enough to accommodate the canceled checks andhaving a built-in guide and stop to facilitate insertion of thestatement with the checks and to assure fixed registry of the address onthe statement with the window opening.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a guide and stopconstruction for window envelopes which is readily blanked out in one ofthe side flaps of an otherwise conventional envelope blank which is thenfolded and gummed on high speed rotary envelope making machines and inaccordance with standard envelope manufacturing processes, so that suchenvelopes can be produced at substantially the same cost as the usualWindow envelope.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention as hereinafterpointed out, improved structure has been provided, the preferred formsof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diagonal steam envelope embodying thefeatures of the present invention, and showing insertion of a statementand canceled checks, a portion of the side seams of the envelope beingbroken away and the marginal edge of the bottom 3,14%,040 Patented July7, 1964 flap turned back, to better illustrate the construction thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the check and statement assembly fromthe opposite side, particularly illustrating the name and address on thestatement and the customary manner of folding the statement about thecanceled checks.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the envelope showing the canceled checksand statement assembly after the assembly has been placed in the pocketof the envelope, parts of the envelope being broken away to betterillustrate the invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the envelope with the bottomflap opened up to better illustrate the shape of the side fiap.

PEG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of the sealedenvelope, particularly illustrating a tear strip that may be provided tofacilitate opening of the sealed closure flap.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a double side seam envelope of thepressure sealing type, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, portions of the back panel being broken away to betterillustrate the construction, and showing a bank statement or the likecontained therein.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pressure seal envelope having a flipflap, with the statement and checks inserted therein and ready forsealing of the closure flap, the sides of the back panel being brokenaway to show the adhesive that secures the back panel to the side flaps.

FIG. 8 is one end of a double side seam envelope constructed inaccordance with the present invention, showing the customary closureflap having a gum requiring moisture to make a seal with the back panel.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the envelope of FIG. 6, opened up tobetter illustrate the side flaps.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, and first to the form ofinvention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive:

1 designates a window envelope constructed in accordance with thepresent invention, for enclosing a bank depositors statement of account2 together with the canceled checks 3 set out in the statement, andwhereby the depositor may verify his records.

The envelope 1 is formed from a single blank, much as in the manufactureof a conventional diagonal seam envelope, to provide a front panel 4having a width conforming to the length of the checks 3 and a depth ofample size to conform with the height of the folded statement 2, aslater to be described. The envelope also includes side flaps 5 and 6 anda back or bottom flap 7. The side flaps 5 and 6 are joined coextensivelywith the sides of the front panel by folds 8 and 9 so that they overliethe inner face of the front panel 4, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5.The back flap 7 is connected with the lower portion of the front panelon a transverse fold 10, so that marginal portions 11 and 12 overlapmarginal portions 13 and 14 of the side flaps 5 and 6.

The inner edges of the side flaps 5 and 6 have bottom edges 15 and 16converging from near the lower bottom corners of the front panel to joinin rounding curves 17 and 18 with upper edges 19 and 20 that extendalong the upper marginal portion of the front panel at a lesser angle ofconvergence. The overlapping margins 11-13 and 12-14 are securedtogether by adhesive, which may be in the form of stripes 23 and 24, inthe manner of a conventional diagonal seam envelope.

The back flap 7 has an upper marginal portion having an edge 25substantially corresponding with the upper edges 19 and 29 on the uppermarginal portions of the side flaps and 6, so that when the flaps aresealed together by the adhesive strips 23 and 24, the side and back forma back panel 26 which cooperates with the front panel 4 in providing apocket 27 between the front and back panels of the envelope, having thesides and bottom closed by the folds 8, 3 and 10.

The adhesive stripe 24 seals the back flap 7 with the corresponding sideflap 6 for substantially the full depth of the envelope, however, theadhesive stripe 23 terminates short of the upper edge of the side flap5, to leave the upper terminal portion 28 of the side flap 5 unattachedwith respect to the back flap 7. The upper terminal portion 23 of theside flap thus provides a loose projecting terminal portion thatcontinues from the upper marginal portion of the side flap 5 toward theother side flap 6, but which terminates short thereof, as shown in FIGS.,1 and 3, and forms a saddle-like seat 29 over which the statement 2 isapplied when the checks and statement assembly are slid into the pocket27 of the envelope, as later described. The terminal point of theadhesive stripe 23 is also located between the loose terminal portion 23and the side fold 8, as shown in the drawings. A round bottom notch 30is provided in the side flap 5 directly below the terminal portion 28 tocontain therein one side of the statement 2, and form a stop means tohold the other side edge of the statement in contact with the inner faceof the fold 9 and immovable laterally with respect to a window opening31 within the front panel 4. The front panel has a closure flap 32extending along the insert opening 33 of the envelope. The closure flap32 has the usual sealing gum 34 and a score 35 on which the closure flapis folded and sealed over the back panel to close the insert opening.

An envelope containing a thick pack of canceled checks is relativelyrigid, and it is diflicult to open the closure flap. To facilitateopening of the closure flap it may be provided with a tab 36 thatprojects from an edge thereof. The tab 36 forms the start of a tearstrip 37 that is defined in the closure flap by lines of perforations 38and 39 on the respective sides of the tab. The perforations extend up tothe score 35 of the closure flap, so that when the tab 36 is pulled upand back toward the fold of the closure flap (FIG. 5), a sufficientopening is formed between the gum 34 and the fold 35 for the entrance ofa letter opener or the like, to tear along the fold, thereby opening upthe insert opening 33.

When the tab 36 is used, the gum 34 on the closure flap 32 will beomitted between the lines of perforations 38 and 39, as shown in FIGS.1, 3 and 4. To start tear along the lines of perforations, theperforations may start at the edge of the closure flap in cuts 40 and41.

In using the envelope 1, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, thename of the depositor and address 42 which are applied to the heading 43of the statement 2 serve as the address of the envelope. The statementis folded along the bottom of the heading 43, as indicated at 44, andthe body portion of the statement is folded reversely as at 45, so thatthe spacing between the folds 44 and 45 is substantially the depth ofthe envelope pocket 27. The fold 45 provides two overlying sections 46and 47 of the body of the statement, forming pocket for containing thecanceled checks 3 therein. The checks are positioned with ends 48thereof substantially registering with the edge 49 of the statementnearest the address 42.

The assembled statement and canceled checks are then applied within theinsert opening 33 of the pocket 27 of the envelope, with the folded-overheading 43 thereof facing the inner face of the front panel 4 and withthe ends 48 of the checks and side edge 49 of the statement in positionto slide along the inner face of the fold 9 (FIG. 1), while the oppositeends 50 of the checks are in position to silde into the opposite end ofthe pocket 27.

On placing the statement in the pocket, care is taken to assure that thesection 47 of the statement slides between the free portion 28 of theside flap 5 and the back flap 7 of the envelope into and through thenotch 30. The assembly is pushed into the pocket with the edge 49 of thestatement and the ends 48 of the checks sliding along the inner face ofthe fold 9, and the edge 51 of the section 47 of the statement slidingalong the rounding bottom of the notch 34 until the statement andcanceled check assembly is completely contained within the envelope. Inthis position the fold 44 will seat on the inner face of the bottom fold10. The statement cannot shift laterally, that is, widthwise of thepocket of the envelope, because the edges 51 and 49 thereof are in closeengagement with the inner face of the side fold 9 and in closeengagement with the stop means 30, respectively. The address 42 on thestatement is, therefore, retained in registry with the window opening31, so that it is always visible therethrough. It is obvious that inplacing the assembled unit in the pocket, the insert opening opensacross the entire width of the envelope for easy entrance of the checks,and that a space opens up between the terminal portion 28 and the innerface of the bottom flap so that the outer side of the folded statementcan pass readily therebetween as the inner folded portion of thestatement and checks are passed into the pocket of the envelope.

Upon moistening of the gum 34 and folding of the closure flap along thescore 35, the sealing flap 32 is brought over the insert opening andsealed to the back panel of the envelope, thereby securely retaining thestatement from up and down movement within the pocket of the envelope,to assure that the address 42 does not shift relatively to the upper andlower edges of the window opening 31.

If the envelope is equipped with a tab 36 and a tear strip 37, theenvelope will be opened by the depositor by pulling outwardly andupwardly on the tab 36, to cause the strip portion 37 to tear along thelines of perforations 38 and 39. When the tear strip is torn up to thefold on the score 35, the fold 45 of the statement is made visible, sothat a letter opener may be inserted through the opening left by thetear strip and alongside of the statement, to cut along the fold of theclosure flap, thereby opening the envelope so that the statement andchecks may be readily removed. In this way there is no danger of cuttingthrough the statement with the letter opener.

The envelope of FIGS. 6 and 9 is a double side seam envelope of thepressure or dry seal type.

The envelope of FIG. 6 is formed of a single blank (as shown in FIG. 9)folded to provide a generally rectangular front panel 60 having a windowopening 61 therein. The panel 60 conforms in width to the largestenclosure, such as checks, and the depth conforms to the height of thefolded statement 2. The envelope includes a relatively narrow side flap62 at one side that is folded over the inner face of the panel 60 on afold 63. The flap 64 at the opposite side is substantially wider and isfolded over the inner face of the panel 60 on a fold 65. In keeping withthe present invention, the inner marginal edge of the side flap 64 isshaped to provide a finger-like portion 66 and a lower notch portion 67.The envelope also includes a generally rectangular back panel 68substantially conforming to the width of the front panel 60. The backpanel is connected to the lower edge of the front panel 60 by a fold 69to overlie the side flaps 62 and 64. The side margins 70 and 71 of theback panel are secured to the side flaps 62 and 64 by adhesive stripes72 and 73. The free edge 74 of the back panel preferably terminatesshort of the upper edges of the side flaps, to cooperate with the frontpanel 60 in providing an insert opening 75. A closure flap 76 for theinsert opening is connected with the upper edge of the front panel by afold 77 and has a stripe of dry seal adhesive 78 extending along theinner face thereof, to make sealing contact with a similar stripe 5 ofdry adhesive 79 extending along the upper portion of the back panel 68.

In using the pressure sealing envelope of FIG. 6, the statement 2 isfolded over the canceled checks in the manner shown in FIG. 2. Theassembly is placed so that the heading 42 faces the inner face of thefront panel 60, with the fold 44 of the statement positioned within theinsert opening 75 of the envelope. In this position the section 46 ofthe statement is guided between the inner face of the front panel 60 andthe finger 66, while the section 47 is guided between the finger 66 andthe inner face of the back panel 68, care being taken that the loweredge of the section 47 passes into the notch 67 as the assembly ispushed into the pocket of the envelope. When the assembly is in place,with the lower edges of the sections 46 and 47 engaging the inner faceof the fold 69, the upper fold 45 of the statement is slightly below thefold 77 of the closure flap 76. The edge 51 of the section 47 of thestatement engages the bottom of the notch 67 and the opposite edges ofthe statement substantially engage the inner face of the fold 63, sothat shifting of the statement is limited within the pocket of theenvelope. The closure flap 76 is folded on the fold 77 to close theinsert opening 75 of the envelope and overlie the outer face of the backpanel. In this position, the gum 78 is in contact with the gum 79 and aseal is effected therebetween by applying pressure on the closure flap.

The pressure seal envelope of FIG. 7 is generally the same as that ofFIG. 6, except that the side gum stripes 80 and 81 terminate short ofthe upper edges of the inturned side flaps 82 and 83. The back panel 84is provided with a transverse line of fold 85 just above the upperterminals of the adhesive stripes 80 and 81, to provide a flip flap 86.The flip flap 86 has pressure sealing gum 87 on the outer face thereof,so that when the fiip flap 86 is folded upon the line of fold 8-5, thepressure sealing gum 87 is protected from contact with the pressuresealing gum 88 on the closure flap 89. This type of envelope has theadvantage in that the finger 90 on the side flap 83 is more exposed,making it easier to manipulate the statement with the checks into theenvelope. Also, the closure flap 89 may be folded without danger ofcontacting the pressure sealing gum thereon with the pressure sealinggum on the flip flap 86.

To place the enclosures, the closure flap 89 is lifted to uncover theinsert opening. After the enclosures are passed into the pocket, withthe edge 51 of the section 47 passing into the notch 91, the flip flap86 is lifted from its folded-over position so that the pressure sealinggum 87 thereon is in position to be contacted by the pressure sealinggum 88 on the closure flap 89.

The envelope of FIG. 8 follows the construction of the envelope of FIG.6 with the exception that the gum 92 on the closure flap 93 is of a typewhich requires moisture to make a seal with the back panel 94. Theinserts are placed therein exactly in the same manner as the inserts areplaced in the envelope of FIG. 6.

While I have illustrated and described the invention for use in mailingbank statements together With canceled checks, it is obvious that theenvelopes described may be used for other types of statements orenclosures that are of less width than the width of the envelopes, sothat the address thereon may be used for the mailing address of theenvelopes.

It is obvious that the envelope having the tear strip 37, the tear stripoverlies the guide portion of the side flap when the closure flap issealed, and when the tear strip is torn back along the lines ofperforations to the fold of the closure flap, the folded portion of thestatement that is astride of the guide portion is opened to view.Therefore, a letter opener or the like inserted in opening the closureflap can easily be inserted at one or the other side of the foldedstatement, and there is no danger of cutting the statement along thefold 45.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An envelope containing enclosures, one having a width greater thanthe width of the other, said envelope including a rectangular panelproviding a front face of the envelope and having a width correspondingwith the width of the widest enclosure and a depth corresponding withheight of the narrower enclosure,

side flaps connected coextensively with sides of said panel by folds andoverlying said panel with upper marginal portions substantialllycoextensive width and overlying the upper marginal portions of thepanel,

one of said side flaps having a projecting terminal portion extendingfrom said side flap coextensive with the upper marginal portion of saidside flap toward the other side flap but terminating short thereof,

a back flap connected coextensively along the lower edge of said panelby a fold line and overlying portions of said side flaps and having anupper marginal portion cooperating with the upper marginal portions ofthe side flaps and the upper marginal portion of said front panel toprovide an insert opening therebetween,

adhesive connecting the back flap with the side flaps to provide a panelconstituting the rear face of the envelope and completing formation of apocket between said panels having a width sufiicient to accommodate thewidth of the widest enclosure and a depth to accommodate the height ofthe narrower enclosure,

one of said panels having a window for exposing an address on thenarrower enclosure,

said adhesive which connects the side flap having the projectingterminal portion being located between the said projecting terminalportion and the fold of said side flap to leave the projecting terminalportion freely contained between the overlying portions of the saidpanels whereby said projecting terminal portion engages a portion of thenarrower enclosure at one side thereof when the opposite side of theenclosure engages within the fold of the said other side flap when saidnarrower enclosure is moved through the insert opening into the pocketof the envelope,

said side flap below said projecting terminal portion terminating at thesaid projecting terminal portion and having stop means for engaging anedge of said narrower enclosure that is engaged by said projectingterminal portion to cooperate with the side fold of the said other sideflap for holding said narrower enclosure substantially immovable in thewidthwise direction of said pocket to retain the address in registrywith said window, and

a gummed closure flap on the front panel and foldable over the insertopening to seal with the rear panel for retaining said enclosures insaid pocket.

2. An envelope containing an assembly which consists of a folded sheetand an enclosure having a width greater than the width of the foldedsheet and a height no higher than the height of the folded sheet, saidenveloped including a rectangular panel providing a front face of theenvelope and having a width corresponding to the width of the enclosureand a depth corresponding to the height of the folded sheet,

side flaps connected coextensively with sides of said panel by folds andfreely overlying said panel and having upper marginal portions extendingalong and overlying upper marginal portions of the panel,

one of said side flaps having a projecting terminal portion extendingfrom said side flap in continuation with the upper marginal portion ofsaid side flap toward the other side flap but terminating short thereofto provide a saddle,

a back flap connected coextensively along the lower adhesive connectingthe back flap with the side flaps to provide a panel constituting therear face of the envelope and to complete a pocket between said panelshaving a width to accommodate the width of the enclosure and a depth toaccommodate the height of the folded sheet,

one of said panels having a window for exposing an address on the foldedsheet,

said adhesive which connects the side flap having the saddle beinglocated between the saddle and the fold of said side flap to leave thesaddle freely contained between the overlying portions of the sidepanels whereby the saddle provides a seat for one end of a fold in thefolded sheet when the assembly is contained in the pocket of theenvelope,

said side flap below said saddle terminating at said saddle and havingstop means engaging an edge of the marginal portion of the folded sheetthat is seated astride the saddle to cooperate with the side fold of thesaid other side flap for holding said folded sheet substantiallyimmovable in the widthwise direction of said pocket to retain theaddress in registry with said window, and

a gummed closure flap on the front panel and foldable over the insertopening to seal with the rear panel for retaining said enclosures insaid pocket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS331,355 Williams Dec. 1, 1885 1,044,935 Snider Nov. 19, 1912 1,858,277Overly May 17, 1932 1,977,042 Cather Oct. 16, 1934 2,092,149 BerkowitzSept. 7, 1937 2,887,327 Tucker May 19, 1959 2,956,725 Landry Oct. 18,1960 3,013,713 Whitman Dec. 19, 1961

1. AN ENVELOPE CONTAINING ENCLOSURES, ONE HAVING A WIDTH GREATER THANTHE WIDTH OF THE OTHER, SAID ENVELOPE INCLUDING A RECTANGULAR PANELPROVIDING A FRONT FACE OF THE ENVELOPE AND HAVING A WIDTH CORRESPONDINGWITH THE WIDTH OF THE WIDEST ENCLOSURE AND A DEPTH CORRESPONDING WITHHEIGHT OF THE NARROWER ENCLOSURE, SIDE FLAPS CONNECTED COEXTENSIVELYWITH SIDES OF SAID PANEL BY FOLDS AND OVERLYING SAID PANEL WITH UPPERMARGINAL PORTIONS SUBSTANTIALLY COEXTENSIVE WIDTH AND OVERLYING THEUPPER MARGINAL PORTIONS OF THE PANEL, ONE OF SAID SIDE FLAPS HAVING APROJECTING TERMINAL PORTION EXTENDING FROM SAID SIDE FLAP COEXTENSIVEWITH THE UPPER MARGINAL PORTION OF SAID FLAP TOWARD THE OTHER SIDE FLAPBUT TERMINATING SHORT THEREOF, A BACK FLAP CONNECTED COEXTENSIVELY ALONGTHE LOWER EDGE OF SAID PANEL BY A FOLD LINE AND OVERLYING PORTIONS OFSAID SIDE FLAPS AND HAVING AN UPPER MARGINAL PORTION COOPERATING WITHTHE UPPER MARGINAL PORTIONS OF THE SIDE FLAPS AND THE UPPER MARGINALPORTION OF SAID FRONT PANEL TO PROVIDE AN INSERT OPENING THEREBETWEEN.ADHESIVE CONNECTING THE BACK FLAP WITH THE SIDE FLAPS TO PROVIDE A PANELCONSTITUTING THE REAR FACE OF THE ENVELOPE AND COMPLETING FORMATION OF APOCKET BETWEEN SAID PANELS HAVING A WIDTH SUFFICIENT TO ACCOMMODATE THEWIDTH OF THE WIDEST ENCLOSURE AND A DEPTH TO ACCOMMODATE THE HEIGHT OFTHE NARROWER ENCLOSURE, ONE OF SAID PANELS HAVING A WINDOW FOR EXPOSINGAN ADDRESS ON THE NARROWER ENCLOSURE, SAID ADHESIVE WHICH CONNECTS THESIDE FLAP HAVING THE PROJECTING TERMINAL PORTION BEING LOCATED BETWEENTHE SAID PROJECTING TERMINAL PORTION AND THE FOLD OF SAID SIDE FLAP TOLEAVE THE PROJECTING TERMINAL PORTION FREELY CONTAINED BETWEEN THEOVERLYING PORTIONS OF THE SAID PANELS WHEREBY SAID PROJECTING TERMINALPORTION ENGAGES A PORTION OF THE NARROWER ENCLOSURE AT ONE SIDE THEREOFWHEN THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ENCLOSURE ENGAGES WITHIN THE FOLD OF THESAID OTHER SIDE FLAP WHEN SAID NARROWER ENCLOSURE IS MOVED THROUGH THEINSERT OPENING INTO THE POCKET OF THE ENVELOPE, SAID SIDE FLAP BELOWSAID PROJECTING TERMINAL PORTION TERMINATING AT THE SAID PROJECTINGTERMINAL PORTION AND HAVING STOP MEANS FOR ENGAGING AN EDGE OF SAIDNARROWER ENCLOSURE THAT IS ENGAGED BY SAID PROJECTING TERMINAL PORTIONTO COOPERATE WITH THE SIDE FOLD OF THE SAID OTHER SIDE FLAP FOR HOLDINGSAID NARROWER ENCLOSURE SUBSTANTIALLY IMMOVABLE IN THE WIDTHWISEDIRECTION OF SAID POCKET TO RETAIN THE ADDRESS IN REGISTRY WITH SAIDWINDOW, AND A GUMMED CLOSURE FLAP ON THE FRONT PANEL AND FOLDABLE OVERTHE INSERT OPENING TO SEAL WITH THE REAR PANEL FOR RETAINING SAIDENCLOSURES IN SAID POCKET.